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Relief as arms fair protester found not guilty

A Christian protester from Bradford who staged a sit-in outside one of the biggest arms fairs in the world has told of his relief at being found not guilty of aggravated trespass.

James Clayton, who was one of five people who super-glued their hands together during the protest, also said he would continue to campaign against the exhibition of weapons such as torture equipment and cluster bombs.

Speaking after his acquittal at Stratford Magistrates’ Court in east London yesterday, Mr Clayton, 33, of Cecil Avenue, Little Horton, said: “I am very relieved and quite excited.

“I have been telling everyone for five months that we had faith in the British justice system.

“It is a massive relief to be found not guilty and to not have a criminal record.”

Mr Clayton and his co-accused, who hugged each other as their not guilty verdicts were announced, carried out their protest at the Defence Security Equipment International arms fair at east London's ExCel Centre last September.

Deputy district judge Fern Russell told the five protesters that “on balance” each of them had shown they had a “reasonable excuse” not to have left the site after being commanded to by police.